Rotary steam-engine.



E. U. MACK.

ROTARY STEAM ENGINE. APPLIOATION IILBD MAR. 31,1914.

Patented Mar. 30', 1915.

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'EWJIARY STEAM-ENGINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST U. MACK, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident.

of Florence, in the county of Florence and State of South Carolina, have invented a new and improved Rotary Steam-Engine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved rotary steam engine which is very compact, perfectly balanced, composed of but few parts not liable to easily get out of order, and. arranged to run at a high rate of speed and to utilize the motive agent to the fullest advantage.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will he more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A. practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying'drawings forming a part of this specificatlon, in

which similar characters of reference indiof the same, on the line 22 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the motor in a difierent position.

In the cylinder A of the engine is mounted to turn a rotor or piston B having buckets B and a hub B secured on a shaft Cjournaled eccentrically in suitable bearings A in the heads A of the cylinder A in such a manner as to provide a spiral tapering channel D between the peripheral inner surface of the cylinder A and theperipheral face of the rotor B, the deeper terminal extrem ity D of said spiral tapering channel being connected with a passage E, preferably set at right angles thereto, leading to the buckets B of the rotor and preferably in an approximately tangential direction, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 1. Into the terminal D of the spiral tapering channel D extends a nozzle F, inaxial alinement with the passage E and leading from a casing G attached to the cylinder A. The casing G is connected by a steam pipe H with a boiler or other suitable source of steam supply, and the said casing G is also (connected by a pipe I with a water supply.

In the casing G is mounted to turn a valve Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatented Mar. 3&9, 19515.

Application filed. March 81, 3.914,. Serial No. 828,484.

J having a nozzle J and a cut-0d portion J oi' whiph the nozzle J is adapted to register with the steam pipe H and to stand at the same time in axial alinement with the nozzle F, so that steam passing through the pipe H and nozzle J into the nozzle F creates a suction in the water pipe I, to suck water through the said pipe 1 into the easing G, the water being forced with the steam through the nozzle F into the passage and to the buckets B of the piston The quantity of water supplied by the pipe l is not ,suilicient to entirely condense the steam entering through the pipe H, but is heated by contact with the steam.

When the engine is running, the valve 5 is turned from the position shown in Fig. l to that indicated in dotted lines still, to cause the cut-oil portion J to close the pipe I and to open the steam pipe H directlyinto the casing G.

When it is desired to stop the engine, the valve J is turned to the position indicated in dotted lines by HI, Fig. 1, so that 'the cut-oil portion J closes the steamypipe'l-l and thus shuts oil the steam supply to the casing G. 1 7

The terminal D of the spiral tapering channel D connects with'ports formed in the heads A of the cylinder'A, and the said ports connect with exhaust pipe K for can rying oil the exhaust steam. A pipe L havmg a valv e'L leads from the cylinder A adjacent to the lower end of the passage E, and this pipe L is temporarily used for the exhaust of the steam when starting the engine, as hereinafter more fully explained, the valve L. however, being closed after the engine is started and in full running order. The bearings A are provided with'stufing boxes A as plainly shown in Fig. 2.

The operation is as follows: When the several parts are in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, then the steam passing through the nozzles J and F, together with the water forced in by way of the pipe ll, passes through the passage E into the bucket B then in register with the passage E, so that the impact of the steam and water causes the rotor B to rotate in the direction of the arrow (2. As the rotor B rotates the water is carried along' in the bucket, while the steam escapes through the pipe L, the valve L of which is open at this time.

by the several buckets until the spiral tapering channel D is completely filled with water. At this time the valve L 'is closed and the valve J is shifted to the position II, so that the water supply by way of the pipe 1 is cut off and steam only passes by way of 1 present themselves at the passage E.

As the water passes into a bucket, together with some steam, and the rotor B- rotates in the direction of the arrowv a, it is evident that the water, by the centrifugal force, is thrown to the outside of the bucket, while the steam is confined in the bucket, at the inner end thereof, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. As the rotor B rotates' and the bucket begins to register with the beginning of the spiral tapering channel D, it is evident that centrifugal force will impel the water to gradually leave the bucket, thus allowing for the expansion of the steam within the bucket. The water practically has the same speed at the rotor w B and flows in the-spiral tapering channel D in the direction of the arrow a. The

'ra dial partition walls separating the buckets B of the rotor B act as levers, fulcrumed at the axis of the shaft 0. It will be observed that in any bucket at the time contiguous to the spiral tapering channel D, the sur-- faceof the leading radial partition wall offers a greater area to the steam pressure inclosed within said bucket than does the radial partition wall following, also that the radius of the leading partition wall is greater from the center of the shaft 0 to the steam water line, indicated by dotted lines, than that of the partition wall following. The result of which, it is evident, is a forward rotary propulsion of the rotor B in the direction. of the arrow a. It is in this manner that the expansive force of the steam is utilized to propel the rotor. When a bucket approaches the terminal D of the spiral tapering channel D nearly all the water has left the bucket and the steam therein has been fully expanded and said bucket finally registers with the ports K, so as to allow the steam to escape through'the said ports K and the exhaust pipes K, while the water continues in the terminal D, to be again acted on by the steam jet from the nozzle F, to be forced by and with the steam through-the passage E back into the several buckets asthey successively present-themselves to the inner end of-th'e passage E. It will be observed that by centrifugal force As the several buckets register with the passage E, 'it is evident that the water is carried along in the direction of the arrow a, but radially on the water contained in the respective buckets, thereby tending to move the rotor in advance ofthe "water. N ow'as this cannot take place, the velocity of the water is accelerated, and when so accelerated the rotor drives thewater, thus increasingthe pressure of the water in the terminal D of the channel D and tending to create a deficiency ofpressure in the first bucket registering with the passage E, which the steam rushing through the nozzle F into the passage E supplies along with the water from the terminal D.

The motor may be set up as shown in' Fig. 3 so that an amount of water remains in the engine, about up to the dotted line, at the ltime the rotor is at rest. 'By this arrangement the valve J can be dispensed with and the steam entered directly by way of the nozzle F.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent: 7

1. In a rotary engine, the combination with a rotor having peripheral buckets, of a cylinder in which rotates the said rotor, the cylinder having a spiral tapering channel open to sundry of the said buckets at a time and having a return connection with another bucket, and a steam nozzle in the return connection.

2. In a rotaryengine, the combination of a rotor having peripheral buckets, a cylinder for the rotor to rotate in, the cylinder hav- -ing a spiral tapering channel contiguous to one side of the cylinder and open to sundry of the saidbuckets, the cylinder also having a passage approximately tangential to'the said rotor and connected with. the terminal of the said channel, and a nozzle in axial alinement with the said passage and opening into the said terminal.

3. In arotary engine, the combination of a rotor having peripheral buckets, a cylinder for the rotor to rotate in, the cylinder hav- 'ing a spiral tapering channel contiguous to one side of the cylinder and open to sundry of the said buckets, the cylinder also having a passage approximatel tangential to the said rotor and connecte with the terminal of the said channel, a nozzle in axial alinement with the saidzpass'a-ge and opening into the said terminal, and a valved casingconnected with the said nozzle and having a steam supply connection.

menses fl. In a rotary engine, the combination of a rotor having peripheral buckets, a cylinder for the rotor to rotate in, the cylinder having a tapering channel contiguous to one side of the,cylinder and open to sundry of the said buckets, the cylinder also having a passage approximately tangential to the said rotor and connected with the terminal of the said channel, a nozzle in axial alinement with the said passage and opening into the said terminal, and a valved casing connected with the said nozzle and having a, steam supply connection and a water supply connection.

5. In a rotary engine, the combination with a rotor having peripheral buckets, of a cylinder in which rotates the said rotor, the cylinder having a spiral tapering channel open to sundry of the said buckets at a time and having a return connection with another bucket, the said cylinder also having exhaust ports at the terminal of the said channel, and a steam nozzle in the return connection.

6. In a rotary engine, the combination of a rotor having peripheral buckets,-a cylinder for the piston to rotate in, the cylinder having a spiral tapering channel contiguous to one side of the cylinder and open to sundry of the said buckets, the cylinder also having a passage approximately tangential to the said'rotor and connected with the terminal of the said channel, the said cylinder also having exhaust ports at the said terminal, and a nozzle in axial alinement with the said passage and opening into the said terminal.

'7. In a rotary engine, the combination or a rotor having peripheral buckets, a cylinder for the rotor to rotate in, the cylinder having a spiral tapering channel contiguous to one side of the cylinder and open to sundry or the said buckets, the cylinder also having a passage approximately tangcntial to the said rotor and connected with the terminal of the said channel, the said cylinder also having exhaust ports at the said terminals, a nozzle in axial alinement with the said passage and opening into the said terminal, and a valved outlet for the steam, on starting the engine, the said outlet leading from the cylinder, at or near the inner end of the said passage.

8. A rotary engine comprising a cylinder and a rotor adapted to rotate therein, said rotor having peripheral buckets, the inner peripheral wall of the cylinder forming a channel for, steam and water ever. widening in the direction of movement of said rotor,

the said rotor being driven both by a tangential jet of steam and water acting upon the radial wall of one peripheral bucket and at the same time driven by the expansive power of steam acting upon radial Walls of unequal area in each of several other buckets.

9. A. rotary engine provided with a rotor and having a volume of-steam encircling it and impinging itperipherally and tangentially and revolving around and in unison with it and expanding while revolving, the rotor being driven by such revolution and expansion. j

10. A rotary engine provided with a cylinder, and a rotor rotating therein, the cylinder having a water and steam passage of constantly and gradually increasing area in the direction of the movement ofithe said rotor between the cylinder and rotor, to allow expansion of the steam.

11. In a rotary engine the combination of a rotor and a cylinder for the rotor to rotate in, the peripheral inner wall of said cylinder combining with the peripheral wall of the rotor to form a spiral channel around the rotor, and a passage connecting the inner and outer extremities of the said spiral channel.

12. In a rotary engine the combination of a rotor, a cylinder for the rotor to rotate in, a steam and water supply and a combined three way valve and jet or siphon controlling the said steam and water supply.

13. A. rotary engine provided with a cylinder having a spiral tapering water channel constantly and gradually increasing in area in the direction of the movement of the rotor, and a rotor having peripheral buckets rotating within the said cylinder, the said buckets being adapted to contain water and steam injecting together separated from each other by centrifugal force within the cylin- 19a der.

i l. The herein described method for utilizing the power of steam, consisting in forcing a jet of steam into a body of water, directing the body of water and steam periph- 1oz;

erally into a chamber capable of revolving around a fixed axis, separating the steam from the water by centrifugal force while in the chamber, confining the steam in the chamber by the water forming a closure for the open end of the chamber, and allowing expansion ofsteam within the chamber by gradually removing the water from the chamber by centrifugal force and confining the body water adjacent to the periphery oi the said chamber, to bodily travel with the latter.

15. The herein described method for utilizing the power of steam, consisting in forcing a jet of steam into a body of water, directing the body or water and steam peripherally into a chamber capable of revolving around a fixed axis, separating the steam and water in the chamber by centrifugal force, confining the steam in the chamber by the water forming a closure for the open end of the chamber, allowing expansion of steam within thechamber by gradually removing the Water from the chamber through the provision of an ever widening contiguous channel and by centrifugal force confinname to this specification in the presence of intg tilhe bofliy xgateg adj acefit $01 the perllpherlyl two subscribing witnesses. o'tesai cam er,t0 oiytrave Wit the latter, allowing the steam to escape from v ERNEST ULMO MACK the chamber, and returning the Water to the Witnesses: steam jet for reuse. Y C. D.-GRIMSLEY, Intestimony whereof I havesigned my HELEN CANNON. 

